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An Apple Pie for Dinner

An Apple Pie for Dinner

By Susan Vanhecke 32 pages Children

Danny Says

What a simply wonderful story about an elderly woman who wants to bake an apple pie but has no apples. She has plums, though, so she loads them in a basket and embarks on an adventure of trades that leads to a terrific lesson in sharing and kindness. This is one of my favorite books to read to my own children.
The Dot

The Dot

By Peter H. Reynolds 32 pages Children

Danny Says

It amazes me that this is one of my favorite books of all time, I recommend it all around the country and until now I have failed to include it as one of my monthly book picks. An outrage! BUY THIS BOOK. This is one of the simplest, most powerful stories I have ever had the pleasure of sharing with children. The message is simple: we are all artists. I think every teacher should read this book to see the potential in every child. Simply magical.
The Lion & the Mouse

The Lion & the Mouse

By Jerry Pinkney 40 pages Children

Danny Says

After being a Caldecott Medal bridesmaid five times, Pinkney finally earned a long overdue Caldecott Medal for this beautifully illustrated retelling of an Aesop Fable. Congratulations, Jerry – you are a role model to so many aspiring illustrators. My students love it when I read Pinkney’s books and share stories about how he became an artist. Truly inspiring.
Octopus Hug

Octopus Hug

By Laurence Pringle 32 pages Children

Danny Says

This book shows dads how to be silly with their kids. Also, February is Black History Month, and I greatly appreciate illustrator Kate Salley Palmer’s refreshing depiction of a playful African-American father (I am sick of books that insist on making ethnicity the central point to every story with minority characters). This is a book all families can enjoy. 
You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!

You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!

By Jonah Winter 40 pages Children

Danny Says

I am a huge fan of Sandy Koufax (read Jane Leavey’s terrific biography on the Dodger icon). This book is such an easy sell with boys. Andre Carrilho’s illustrations add so much, as young readers are treated to seeing Koufax’s perfect pitching motion.
Daft Bat

Daft Bat

By Jeanne Willis,Tony Ross 24 pages Children

Danny Says

Jeanne Willis always makes me laugh, and Tony Ross always provides Willis with fabulous illustrations. Funny how everything looks different when you’re upside down.
Yip! Snap! Yap!

Yip! Snap! Yap!

By Charles Fuge 24 pages Children

Danny Says

Looking for an interactive read aloud that is sure to delight young children? Go no further. Kids love participating in the sound effects of Fuge’s simple story with fun illustrations.
Bad Luck Bridesmaid: The Complicated Life of Claudia Cristina Cortez

Bad Luck Bridesmaid: The Complicated Life of Claudia Cristina Cortez

By Diana G Gallagher 88 pages Children

Danny Says

Another title in the popular Complicated Life of Claudia Cristina Cortez series that is great at building reading confidence for third graders starting chapter books. The books are all teacher-friendly, with discussion questions, writing prompts and helpful illustrations by Brann Garvey that make these books ideal candidates for Readers’ Theatre.  
Letters To A Soldier

Letters To A Soldier

By David Falvey 32 pages Children

Danny Says

Hutt organized her fourth graders to write letters to Lt. Falvey while he was deployed to Iraq, and this book includes the kids’ letters and pictures, as well as Falvey’s responses and photographs. I use this book to inspire students to write.
The Easter Egg

The Easter Egg

By Jan Brett 32 pages Children

Danny Says

Sometimes I take it for granted that everybody knows who the greatest children’s authors are. I was terrified to discover a friend recently who had never heard of Jan Brett. Blasphemy! Her book The Mitten is a favorite of my own children, and I figured I’d be timely and include The Easter Egg just in time for a certain holiday.
The Circus Ship

The Circus Ship

By Chris Van Dusen 40 pages Children

Danny Says

What a treat! The local residents of an island in Maine are not too pleased when the animals of a wrecked circus ship scatter about – until a tiger saves a baby. Then it is the residents who disguise their new friends so the circus owner cannot take them away. Funny and heartwarming.
Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea

Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea

By Steve Jenkins 40 pages Children

Danny Says

Let’s put it this way: if you are a teacher or parent of young children, I suggest you feed your kids, clothe them and buy them books by Steve Jenkins. He is one of the greatest children’s authors out there, as his books inspire kids to ask all sorts of questions, and his illustrations are simply beautiful. I’ll add this book to my growing list of essentials by Jenkins: Actual Size, I See a Kookaburra, etc.
Chalk

Chalk

By Bill Thomson 40 pages Children

Danny Says

When three friends find a bag of chalk on a playground, they quickly learn that whatever they draw becomes reality, for better or worse. An amazing wordless picture book that my own children love.
Stranger in the Woods

Stranger in the Woods

By Carl R. Sams & Jean Stoick 48 pages Children

Danny Says

Lovely book of actual photos of animals in the woods investigating the appearance of a snowman. Absolutely sensational. I want this book in every classroom.
One

One

By Kathryn Otoshi 32 pages Children

Danny Says

I have my friend Annette Alpern to thank for this simple yet moving book about how all it takes is one brave soul to stand up to bullying. I use this book with business executives interested in team-building. Great for teaching preschoolers colors and numbers, as well.

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